University launches new scholars program
The newly launched Presidential Scholars Program, a study of broad issues of interest to health care professionals, will focus on health disparities in its first year.
Dr.
Ray Greenberg, MUSC president, greets faculty and student participants
during the Presidential Scholars Program's working session. From left are:
David Kang, D.M., Christopher Crosby, Graduate Studies and James Urbanic,
Medicine.
In its opening session, MUSC President Ray Greenberg, M.D., Ph.D., greeted the faculty and student participants and presented an overview on disparities in health care. The issue was further developed by Barbara Tilley, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Biometry and Epidemiology, who shared her work in health disparities.
As defined by the National Institutes of Health, health disparities are: “Differences in the incidence, prevalence, mortality and burden of diseases and other adverse health conditions that exist among specific population groups in the United States.”
The Presidential Scholars Program is a year-long, extracurricular experience that will bring an interdisciplinary mix of students together to study broad issues of interest to health care professionals. The concept for the program began when Greenberg was provost as a mechanism to enrich the academic culture of the university and promote greater interdisciplinary understanding among health professional students.
“I am very excited about the launching of this new program. It will bring together students from the various health disciplines on campus. By sharing this time together, they will learn more about the contributions that each discipline can make, and the value of teamwork. Hopefully, they will share these insights with other students in their degree programs, thereby spreading this spirit of collaboration across campus,” Greenberg said upon initiating the program.
“Perhaps the most special aspect of this very special program is seeing students from all the various colleges come together around a joint agenda,” said Rosalie Crouch, Ph.D., vice president for academic affairs and provost.
The process of selection of the Presidential Scholars was a competitive one. Thirty-six students from across campus were chosen from 86 applicants in a process that included student essays and faculty letters of support.
Although the Aug. 29 session was the first official working session, it was preceded by an earlier event at which Crouch greeted the students and voiced her enthusiasm and support.
An in-depth study of specific health issues and general social, economic, political and environmental influences on disparities will follow. Activities to enhance interdisciplinary and team effectiveness will also be included, as will opportunities for involvement with experts in the field. Other events and off-campus opportunities are being planned.
An evaluation of the impact of the program and longer-term follow-up of the accomplishments of the scholars is planned.
“The development of future health care leaders who possess a solid core of values and sense of responsibility for the health of their communities is a shared university goal. Our desire is that the scholars program helps make that goal a reality,” said Valerie T. West, Ed.D., director of the Presidential Scholars Program.
The Presidential Scholars will share outcomes of the program with the university community this spring. The second year of the Presidential Scholars Program will begin in August 2002 with the selection process beginning in February 2002.
Faculty Scholars
Valerie T. West; J. Mark Barry; Doug Blansit; Leonard Egede; David
Graber; Marilyn King; Kristi Lenz; and George Temple
Student Scholars
Antionette Bennett; Myra Pinckney-Bohlen; Victor Browne; Corey Burgoyne;
Ricky Choi; Constantine Copses; Christopher Crosby; Kristopher Dozier;
Amy Feagin; Timothy Han; Martha Hardaway; Winnie Hennessy; Maria Camille
Hoffman; Bonnie Houchen; Allyson Innocenti; Matthew Jenny; Sarah Johnson;
David King; Stewart Knoepp; Will MacDonald; Jennifer Mazyck; Kristine McGraw;
John McLeod; Lesley Ogden; Rachel Peck; Vijay Rao; Nicole Redmond; Edward
“Bud” Reynolds; Courtney Schueler; Christina Singletary; Rose Mary Spellman;
Brandi Sweet; Kamini Talati; James Urbanic; Neil Wiater; and Sara Wilcox